Tuesday of the
Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(II Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-19:3; Mark 5:21-43)
The old man was pleased with himself. He had caught the doctor billing him for treatments
that he did not render. The man saved
thousands of dollars by just examining his bills. Today’s gospel tells the story of a woman who
was not so fortunate. Her doctors had
taken all the money she had without giving her any satisfaction. She now turns to Jesus in her desperation.
Faith in Jesus moves the woman with hemorrhages to touch
his garment. She knows that it is wrong
for her to do so because she is unclean according to Jewish law and touching Jesus
sullies him as well. So, when Jesus’ divine
power is demonstrated first by being the source of her healing and then by
realizing that his healing power was utilized, the woman trembles with fear. Yet she manages to respond to Jesus’ call, “’Who
has touched me?’” Her courage wins for
her a second, deeper blessing. Jesus
grants her salvation. “’Daughter,’” he
says, “’your faith has saved you.’”
We should not be afraid to come to Jesus when we, like
the woman with hemorrhages, have done wrong.
We pray to him for strength and we encounter him forthrightly in the
Sacrament of Reconciliation. His words
to us will not be different, “Daughter (or son), your faith has saved you.”
